FORD BRONCO II · model year

1989 FORD BRONCO II

49 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989FORDBRONCO II carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 12 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 BRONCO II is visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior with 5 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1989 BRONCO II, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

49
Complaints
4
Crashes
12
Fires
9
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

49 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
TIRES3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1

Recent Complaints

20050912FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

1989 FORD BRONCO II, SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR GARAGE 8/23/02. I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN TAYLOR TEXAS, VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WHEREBY IT BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE DECLINING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUESTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT FORD BROADEN THE SCOPE OF IT'S RECALL BASED UPON THE NHTSA FINDINGS 4/25/96 RECALL #96V071000 OR THE FORD RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH . *NM *JB *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20050912FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1989 FORD BRONCO II, SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR GARAGE 8/23/02. I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN TAYLOR TEXAS, VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WHEREBY IT BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE DECLINING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUESTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT FORD BROADEN THE SCOPE OF IT'S RECALL BASED UPON THE NHTSA FINDINGS 4/25/96 RECALL #96V071000 OR THE FORD RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH . *NM *JB *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20050502CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

WE WERE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT, CAME AROUND A CURVE ON HWY 86, HIT LOOSE GRAVEL AND LOST CONTROL.....WE ROLLED THE VEHICLE ONCE(LANDING ON OUR TOP). AS SOON AS THE BRONCO 2 STARTED TO ROLL OVER, THE TOP OF THE CAB STARTED BUCKLING LIKE AN ALUMINUM SODA CAN...THE RESULT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE BEING SMASHED ABOUT TWO INCHES INTO THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK. I HAVE SEEN OTHER BRONCO 2 THAT HAVE ROLLED AND THEY HELD UP MUCH BETTER THAN OURS. MY FIANCEE, OUR SON, OUR DOG AND I(BEING 6 MONTHS PREGNANT) ALL WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET CHECKED. THIS TOTAL DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE COST US $200.00 TO GET THE VEHICLE AND OUR BELONGINGS HOME, NOT TO MENTION LOST WAGES AND HOSPITAL BILLS.

20010215FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

20010109TIRES

THIS TIRE WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SPARE, MOUNTED ON THE RIGHT REAR ON 4-12-97 (3 NEW TIRES PURCHASED AT SAME TIME).THE TIRE HAD ABOUT 22,100 MILES ON IT. IT LOST ABOUT 1/3 OF ITS TREAD AT 50 MPH BUT DID NOT BLOW OUT. I HEARD THE LOOSE TREAD HIT THE FEND. *AK (DOT NUMBER: HYUL TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)

20001115FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SEVERAL TIMES THE MAN AT THE GAS STATION STATED THAT IT HAD A BAD SENDING UNIT AND THIS CAUSED ME TO GO THOUGH THE FUEL PUMPS. THE MAN AT THE GAS STATION TOLD ME TO DO THIS. *AK

20000918ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

20000918ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

20000911ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

20000911ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

20000906FatalTIRES

THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE ATX WILDERNESS TIRE BLEWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED DEATH. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS

20000830TIRES

CAR TOTALED - HAVE POLICE REPORT. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )

20000830FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE BATTERY IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY IS HELD IN PLACE BY A SMALL INEFFECTIVE RETAINER THAT ONLY COVERS AN EDGE OF THE BATTERY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THIS RETAINER DOES NOT OFTEN FIT REPLACEMENT BATTERIES PROPERLY. THE POSITIVE LEAD ON THE BATTERY IS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY ON THE SIDE OF THE BATTERY THAT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THESE TWO DESIGN FLAWS WORK TOGETHER TO CAUSE A SITUATION WHICH CAN EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, WHICH SHOULD BE VERY TYPICAL, THE BATTERY HOLD DOWN BRACKET DID NOT HOLD THE BATTERY IN PLACE. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THE BATTERY SHIFTED JUST A FEW INCHES TOWARD THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE POSITIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FENDER, THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO "SHORT TO GROUND". THE RESULT OF THIS OCCURANCE WAS

19991229UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNSPECIFIED.

19990217FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE PLUG CONNECTOR AT THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSED ALTERNATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

19981031ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE FIRST PROBLEM WE ENCOUNTER WAS THE AC GOING OUT THE FIRST DAY WE HAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD IT WORKED GREAT. THE AIR COND PROBLEM THE HEATER DID NOT WORK WAS TOLD IT WAS REAPIRED AND HAS YET TO WORK NOT EVEN THE DEFROST. THE THRID WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE GOING OUT AND THE SPRINGS POPPING. THE FOURTH PROBELM WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35MPH NO WARNING SIGNS NO NOTHING THE VEHICLE LAUNGED FORWARD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER AND THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKEN INTWO. THANK GOODNES WE WERENT GOPING DOWN A HILL WE HAVE ROLLED. MY BABY AND MOTHER WERE WITH ME AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.THE GUY WE BOUGHT IT FROM REFUSES TO FIX IT SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THRE TIMES ALREADY IN TWO MONTHS. WE BOUGHT IT WITH NO WARRANTY BECAUSE HIS MECHANICS INSPEACTED IT BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT AND TOLD US IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. WE BELIVED THEM NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A LEMON AND STILL PAYING FOR IT. ISNT THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP?

19981031POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

THE FIRST PROBLEM WE ENCOUNTER WAS THE AC GOING OUT THE FIRST DAY WE HAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD IT WORKED GREAT. THE AIR COND PROBLEM THE HEATER DID NOT WORK WAS TOLD IT WAS REAPIRED AND HAS YET TO WORK NOT EVEN THE DEFROST. THE THRID WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE GOING OUT AND THE SPRINGS POPPING. THE FOURTH PROBELM WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35MPH NO WARNING SIGNS NO NOTHING THE VEHICLE LAUNGED FORWARD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER AND THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKEN INTWO. THANK GOODNES WE WERENT GOPING DOWN A HILL WE HAVE ROLLED. MY BABY AND MOTHER WERE WITH ME AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.THE GUY WE BOUGHT IT FROM REFUSES TO FIX IT SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THRE TIMES ALREADY IN TWO MONTHS. WE BOUGHT IT WITH NO WARRANTY BECAUSE HIS MECHANICS INSPEACTED IT BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT AND TOLD US IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. WE BELIVED THEM NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A LEMON AND STILL PAYING FOR IT. ISNT THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP?

19981031UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FIRST PROBLEM WE ENCOUNTER WAS THE AC GOING OUT THE FIRST DAY WE HAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD IT WORKED GREAT. THE AIR COND PROBLEM THE HEATER DID NOT WORK WAS TOLD IT WAS REAPIRED AND HAS YET TO WORK NOT EVEN THE DEFROST. THE THRID WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE GOING OUT AND THE SPRINGS POPPING. THE FOURTH PROBELM WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35MPH NO WARNING SIGNS NO NOTHING THE VEHICLE LAUNGED FORWARD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER AND THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKEN INTWO. THANK GOODNES WE WERENT GOPING DOWN A HILL WE HAVE ROLLED. MY BABY AND MOTHER WERE WITH ME AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.THE GUY WE BOUGHT IT FROM REFUSES TO FIX IT SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THRE TIMES ALREADY IN TWO MONTHS. WE BOUGHT IT WITH NO WARRANTY BECAUSE HIS MECHANICS INSPEACTED IT BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT AND TOLD US IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. WE BELIVED THEM NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A LEMON AND STILL PAYING FOR IT. ISNT THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP?

19981031VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE FIRST PROBLEM WE ENCOUNTER WAS THE AC GOING OUT THE FIRST DAY WE HAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD IT WORKED GREAT. THE AIR COND PROBLEM THE HEATER DID NOT WORK WAS TOLD IT WAS REAPIRED AND HAS YET TO WORK NOT EVEN THE DEFROST. THE THRID WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE GOING OUT AND THE SPRINGS POPPING. THE FOURTH PROBELM WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35MPH NO WARNING SIGNS NO NOTHING THE VEHICLE LAUNGED FORWARD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER AND THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKEN INTWO. THANK GOODNES WE WERENT GOPING DOWN A HILL WE HAVE ROLLED. MY BABY AND MOTHER WERE WITH ME AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.THE GUY WE BOUGHT IT FROM REFUSES TO FIX IT SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THRE TIMES ALREADY IN TWO MONTHS. WE BOUGHT IT WITH NO WARRANTY BECAUSE HIS MECHANICS INSPEACTED IT BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT AND TOLD US IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. WE BELIVED THEM NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A LEMON AND STILL PAYING FOR IT. ISNT THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP?

19980114VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

LEFT AND RIGHT REAR VIEW MIRRORS RUN IN ANYTIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER 40 MPH.

Compare 1989FORDBRONCO II to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 FORD BRONCO II have?
The 1989 FORD BRONCO II has 49 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 12 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 FORD BRONCO II?
The most-complained component for the 1989 FORD BRONCO II is VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1989 FORD BRONCO II safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.